Confessions of a travel pillow lover

Our style ed find her flawless threads undermined in the throes of passion

By
Jenny Hewett
01 July 2014

Jenny Hewett has broken all her style rules after taking possession of a nifty invention.

I come from a gene pool of narcoleptic sleepers. Okay, not in the traditional medical sense, but we’re talking people who can fall asleep at the drop of a hat in pretty much any situation, the bigger the audience and the bumpier the ride the better. Sadly, I am not wired for such feats. And no amount of comfort is going to bring about blissful slumber in front of 100 strangers on the Metro, at the airport, in a restaurant or in the back of a 4x4 dune-bashing its way around the Dubai desert.

But this week, a novel, spin-off version of the faithful travel pillow landed on my desk from smart and stylish Japanese innovators Muji. I hate to admit it, but I have grown quite attached to the evil sleep temptress.

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Quite ironic considering I have never understood people that board planes with bedding as if they are embarking on a school camping trip. Not only does carrying around a pillow the size of a small country at the airport scream amateur in my opinion, it’s also a fashion offence punishable by public shaming via photographic evidence or otherwise.

Until now, I have looked at the travel pillow with similar disdain. You see, while less offensive, the travel pillow says to me ‘I have given up’, and ‘I am happy to endure the most uncomfortable of travel situations as long as my neck is supported’. That attitude is not going to get you upgraded, my friends (and you’ll know from previous columns I’m quite passionate about the thought of such opportunities).

While the cushion is yet to leave my desk, my new toy has become quite useful in overcoming the 3pm wall at work. Sausage-shaped in grey marle towelling with a fastener for folding, she’s quite easy on the eye also. An accompanying tag reveals the novel ways you can get your sleep, or in my case, rest your head (journalists are far too busy to partake in the proverbial power nap).

The opportunities are endless. One scenario suggests face-planting the pillow on your desk, as if it were a completely acceptable part of corporate life. I choose to opt for the less-alarming Frankenstein pose, where I can recline and rest my head on the back of my chair comfortably, arms outstretched as I tap away at the keyboard, as I am now.

It may not come close to the perks at Google or Facebook HQ, but it has to be nearly there. Whether or not my fondness for the Muji travel pillow will continue outside the confines of the office is anyone’s guess. It just might not be my style.